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Students Against Texting While WalkingBy: Briana Chernak, Anike Owoye, Alexandria Hawkey, Kyra

Kirsh, David He

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjVAC_vpzSI

Benefits of Phone-Free Walking

Benefits● There are other things to look at than your phone● Multitasking distracts you rather than getting things done

quicker● Texting while walking increases your chance of having an

accident● When you’re constantly on your phone, your mind suffers

as well

Research

Survey● 98% of students polled reported

that they text and walk● 81% of students said they were

most likely to text in between classes

● 80% of students confirmed they were aware of the potential danger

Observational Research● People Watching

○ Wright and Daniel: 15/71

○ Southwest side of Quad: 24/74

Physical Impact● Since 2009, pedestrian fatalities have actually increased by 15%● Nearly 40% of U.S. teens have been hit or nearly hit by a passing car, motorcycle, or bike● Of the 484 pedestrians ages 19 and younger who died after being hit by a motor vehicle in 2013, 47%

were 15 to 19 years old● 53% of all adult cellphone owners have been on the giving or receiving end of a distracted walking

encounter.

Psychological Impact● Studies show that constantly

being on one’s phone leads to psychological distress and mental disorders

● Overuse of one’s phone can lead to sleep disorders as well as stress

Strategies

Have University of Illinois students become aware of the risks of texting

while walking

Build relations with the Office of Student Affairs, National Safety

Council, College of Engineering and the American Academy of Orthopedic

Surgeons

Tactics

#LookUp● Twitter● Instagram● Facebook

#LookUp● Campus Checklist● Chalking the Quad

Ally Relations1. AAOS: promotion of “Distracted Walking Program” 2. Engineering College: assisting in app development3. National Safety Council: promotion of “Head up, Phone Down Program”

National Safety Council (most important!)Mission: Nothing is more important than making sure their kids get home safely.

Numbers: 61 children are hit by cars every day

Goal: reach out parents

Tips:

a. Never walk while texting or talking on the phone

b. If texting, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk

c. Never cross the street while using an electronic device

Office of Student Affairs● Collaboration with Office of Student Affairs for the safety initiative “Look Up!”● This sponsorship would help bring our message directly to students through

access to residence hall space, the Freshman Welcome book and an App called Look Up.

● The goal of the collaboration is to implement a safety effort is designed to encourage students to put their phone away while walking on campus and on their way to class and informing them of the dangers and benefits of text free walking.

Map Challenge

● Target freshman in “Welcome Days”booklet with map challenge.

Display Screens● “Look Up” week (info tables

in PAR and SDRP residence halls, download app for chance to win a Fit Bit)

● Advertising throughout the month of April in all Residence Halls

● April coincides with Distracted Driving Awareness month

“Look Up” Tables in Residence Halls● Set up information tables in residence halls (PAR and SDRP) to engage and

inform students about the initiative.

Daily Illini coverage of Look Up App● During Month of April/ Start of “Look Up!” week

Look Up! Buzzfeed VideoA student steps out of the Union into the Quad while looking down and texting. Throughout his walk to class, he misses multiple, once in a lifetime opportunities and dangerous situations due to his inability to look up from his cell phone. A few of the things that he encounters include:

1) Group of people running in marathon have to stop to avoid a collision.2) The beautiful Illinettes are performing on the Quad, but he walks right past it. 3) Walks past sign that says “1 free ticket left for Kanye West and Jay-Z concert”.4) Takes too long to get to the bus stop and is late to class.

Call to Action

Cost

$2,500 Budget● 300 Customized Pens: approx. $140● 100 Customized Sunglasses: approx $240● 2 Fit Bit prizes: approx. $298● 2 Balloon Arches: approx. $500● Display Screen Ads: approx. $160 a month● 5 ft life size cutout of checklist : approx. $100● Misc. Costs: $1,000